Juliet Rago-McNamara, 1927–2024

Juliet Rago-McNamara

American artist Juliet Rago-McNamara passed away peacefully of natural causes on June 17, 2024 at the age of 97 at Bridges Memory Care Assisted Living in Westford. She was born on March 21, 1927, in Chicago and is survived by her four children and six grandchildren.

Juliet was pre-deceased by her first husband, Henry Rago, a poet, editor of Poetry magazine, and professor in the University of Chicago’s School of Theology and Literature who passed away in 1969, and by her second husband Robert J. McNamara, former dean of Loyola University and subsequently professor and chair of its Department of Sociology, who passed away in 1985.

Beloved within her community and by family, friends, colleagues and students, Juliet was known for her even temper, kindness, and grace. She was a full professor of painting in Loyola’s Department of Fine Arts and was a prolific and respected artist, a calling to which she devoted her life.

Juliet earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1950 and her Master of Fine Arts at SAIC in 1973. Her career in higher education began in 1969, when she became a professor of fine arts at Loyola and taught painting until her retirement in 2002. Prior to this, she was an art instructor at Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Ill., from 1970-1971. She spent many summers working independently at arts colonies throughout the country, notably Yado, Ragdale, Oxbow Summer School of Art, Vermont Studio Center, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

A member of the College Art Association and the Women’s Caucus for Art, Juliet had a long career as an educator, lecturer, and artist. She received numerous awards, fellowships, and grants and is listed as a notable artist by Marquis Who’s Who. Juliet prolifically explored abstractions, landscapes, sky, sea, and figurative subjects in her work as an artist. She often depicted elements of nature and the ever-changing cloud formations over Lake Michigan and wherever she traveled. She was captivated by the human figure moving through water or space, especially in the form of angels, which graced most of the holiday cards she sent out yearly.

In addition to her work as an artist, Juliet loved music. She played guitar, dulcimer, and piano, and was a gifted singer, singing in local choirs wherever she lived. Her interest in art, music, and the humanities enabled her to create rich and varied friendships that mirrored what she cared most about.

Juliet continued through her over 70 years as an artist to create art works and exhibits in galleries and museums (in both solo and group shows) and leaves a rich and complex legacy as an artist and friend to many.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be announced at a later date at First Parish Church in Lincoln and at Rago Brothers’ Funeral Home in Chicago. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or a charity or scholarship of your choice in Juliet’s name.